Kingston's LaSalle Causeway expected to remain closed for 'several weeks'

UPDATE|On April 12, 2024, the City of Kingston issued an update confirmingthat theLaSalle Causewaywill not reopen in time forthe marine season, which usually begins May 1.

A keycrossing in Kingston is expected to remain closed to all forms of traffic including pedestrians and cyclists for several weeks after part of it was damaged during construction.

The LaSalle Causeway opened more than a century agoand connects downtown Kingston with its eastern suburbs. Part of it is aBasculebridge, which usesa counterweight to letboats through.

In an update on Thursday,Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) saida steel truss that supports the counterweight was damaged on March 30, whilework was underway to strengthen it.

While a complete assessment of the damage still needs to be carried out,"preliminary indications are that the LaSalle Causeway will be closed for several weeks," PSPC said.

No one was injured as a result of the incident, according to PSPC.

Traffic barriers and signs warning of the closure are in place, but a string of vehicles drove pastthem earlier this week, only to turn around when they encountered the pylons.

All trafficincluding emergency vehiclesshould use the Waaban Crossing instead, according to PSPC.

The causeway opened in 1917 and has recently been undergoing rehabilitation work. The bridgehadbeen limited to one lane in recent weeksand was expected to be closed to vehicles during the past weekend, but now it's not clear when it will reopen.

PSPC said "specialized equipment"is now in place. Once it's safe to access the site, crews should be able to stabilize the bridge structure.

The closure comes asKingston is bracing for tens of thousands of visitors for the solar eclipse on April 8, when the causeway would have been a crucial link for tourists and locals alike.

PSCP said it will continue to provide updates andhopes to reopen the bridge as soon as possible.